An unknown Scottish player called Gary Mackay scored an 87th minute winner against Bulgaria in the EURO'88 qualifier against Bulgaria in Sofia on November 11th 1987, that earned Ireland a place in Germany at the European Championships in 1988 - with an opening match against England.
As expected England were favourites against a Republic of Ireland side making a historic first appearance in any finals.
Early in the game Kevin Moran took a free-kick and hit it long, which Mark Wright moved out to the right to cover, managing only to get in Gary Stevens' way. When the ball fell to Tony Galvin, he hooked a cross that Kenny Sansom miskicked up in the air, allowing John Aldridge head the ball to Ray Houghton - who then looped a header beyond Peter Shilton.
So after six minutes in the old Neckarstadion in Stuttgart, Jack Charlton's side were 1 - 0 ahead.
The second half was one long England attack, producing enough chances to have won the match twice over. Three times Gary Lineker was put clean through, only to have one shot saved by Pat Bonner, clip the bar with the second and put the other just past the far post. In the end Ireland held out and a historic milestone was achieved that started the self belief under Charlton.
However what people forget about the Republic of Ireland team that day was, each of the players was a winner in their own right at club level, more so than previous teams, and were all owners of valuable silverware.
Packie Bonner: Celtic
Scottish League: 1979, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, Scottish Cup: 1980, 1988; Scottish League Cup: 1983
Pundit
Chris Morris, Celtic
Scottish League: 1988, Scottish Cup: 1988;
Runs family pasties business
Chris Hughton; Tottenham Hotspur
FA Cup: Winner 1981 & 1982), UEFA Cup 1984; FA Charity Shield: Winner (1981), runner up (1982).
Manger at Norwich City
Mick McCarthy; Celtic
Scottish Premier League 1988; Scottish Cup 1988
Pundit, ex Wolves manager
Kevin Moran; Manchester United
Dublin GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (2): 1976, 1977; Leinster Senior Football Championship (3): 1975, 1976, 1977; Manchester United FA Cup 1982–83, 1984–85; FA Charity Shield 1983
Football Agent, Pundit
Ronnie Whelan; Liverpool
League Championship 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988; FA Cup 1986; League Cup 1982, 1983, 1984; Charity Shield; 1982, 1986, 1988; European Cup 1984 Super Cup 1986
Pundit for RTE and Evening Herald
Paul McGrath, Manchester United
FA Cup: 1985
Pundit
Ray Houghton; Liverpool
League Championship 1988; League Cup 1986;
Pundit for RTE, talkSPORT and Irish Daily Star
John Aldridge; Liverpool
Newport County Welsh Cup 1980; Oxford United, 3rd Division Winners 1984; 2nd Division, Winner 1985; Football League Cup 1986; League Championship 1988; Charity Shield 1988;
Pundit
Frank Stapleton; Manchester United
Arsenal FA Cup 1979; Manchester United Charity Shield 1983; FA Cup
Scout for Giovanni Trapattoni
Tony Galvin; Tottenham Hotspur
FA Cup winner 1981; FA Cup winner 1982; UEFA Cup winner 1984
Teacher
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